Wolves pull out sloppy win vs. East Gaston

By Ryan Herman

Published: Friday, September 13, 2013 at 11:52 PM.

LINCOLNTON –– Both head coaches were left scratching their heads, but only Lincolnton’s had a little something to smile about.

Still adjusting to the recently implemented I-formation, the Wolves put the ball on the ground six times losing it just once, while East Gaston committed six turnovers in Lincolnton’s 27-10 win on Friday night.

Chavis Russell had a game-high 77 yards rushing on 21 carries, Quinlyn Harris returned a punt 43 yards for a touchdown and Zoauntarrious Brunt had a pair of TDs as the Wolves (2-2) ended a two-game skid.

The teams combined for 12 fumbles — East Gaston lost five while Lincolnton lost one. They each also threw an interception.

The Wolves muffed a punt, and there were 21 total penalties for 134 yards — 15 for 79 by the Warriors (0-3).

But in the end, Lincolnton was able to commit fewer mistakes and score more points.

“It was ugly, but you know, we’re two weeks with a new offense,” Wolves coach Scott Cloninger said. “It’s a sloppy game, but we’ll take it. It gives us something to feel good about ourselves going into the open week.”

LINCOLNTON –– Both head coaches were left scratching their heads, but only Lincolnton’s had a little something to smile about.

Still adjusting to the recently implemented I-formation, the Wolves put the ball on the ground six times losing it just once, while East Gaston committed six turnovers in Lincolnton’s 27-10 win on Friday night.

Chavis Russell had a game-high 77 yards rushing on 21 carries, Quinlyn Harris returned a punt 43 yards for a touchdown and Zoauntarrious Brunt had a pair of TDs as the Wolves (2-2) ended a two-game skid.

The teams combined for 12 fumbles — East Gaston lost five while Lincolnton lost one. They each also threw an interception.

The Wolves muffed a punt, and there were 21 total penalties for 134 yards — 15 for 79 by the Warriors (0-3).

But in the end, Lincolnton was able to commit fewer mistakes and score more points.

“It was ugly, but you know, we’re two weeks with a new offense,” Wolves coach Scott Cloninger said. “It’s a sloppy game, but we’ll take it. It gives us something to feel good about ourselves going into the open week.”

Brunt caught an 11-yard TD pass from Jordon Easter at the 5:36 mark of the opening quarter, then Easter scored on a run from 10 yards out after East Gaston fumbled it away on the kickoff return.

The Warriors made it 14-8 a little over a minute later when they needed just three plays to go 62 yards. Austin Woods hit Bailey Crane with a 50-yard TD pass, and after the conversion the score stood until the fourth quarter.

Harris returned Crane’s punt 43 yards –– he caught it on the far sideline, ran towards his own sideline then turned upfield for the score –– to go up 20-8 just over 2 minutes into the final quarter.

Brunt ran it in from the 1 with 7:05 to play to go up 27-8.

East Gaston’s final points came on a safety when Tyshawn Smith was tackled in the end zone. The poor field position was set up when Harris picked off Alex Adams’ pass at his own 3.

The Warriors were held to 82 yards rushing, 48 coming from Dontavis Walker. Woods ran for 40 yards and was 2 of 4 passing for 60 yards and a TD before leaving with a right leg injury although he later returned. Crane had 96 yards receiving, and Adams completed 5 of 13 passes for 76 yards and added the pick.

“It didn’t look like we had last week off. Having a week off, being able to prepare and show (the team) a few things, it looked like –– I don’t know what it was,” said East Gaston coach Sean Joyce, whose team has lost five straight games dating back to last year. “This isn’t the same team that has played in the last two games.